Rory Wilkinson, digital editor of Show House, recently caught up with Sam Smith, director of investment and partnerships at buy-to-let investment platform, Property Hub Invest, to find out more about the company’s model, his role within the business and how Property Hub Invest can help housebuilders.
I’ve worked in the property sector for over 20 years. I started my career in residential lettings before spending the last decade working at senior director level within the institutional build-to-rent sector. That experience gave me a deep understanding of how investors think, what developers need, and how to bridge the two effectively, which is exactly what drew me to Property Hub Invest.
Tell us about how Property Hub Invest works and how it came about
Property Hub Invest is a platform that gives private investors access to off-market new build investment opportunities across the UK. Whether that’s a city-centre apartment or a suburban family home, we act on behalf of thousands of investors who are collectively purchasing hundreds of units through us each year. The platform was built around a very clear gap in the market, connecting serious, ready-to-invest buyers directly with quality new build stock, cutting out a lot of the noise and inefficiency that traditionally exists in that process.
What is your focus in the company?
As director of investment and partnerships, my focus spans both sides of the business. On one side, I manage the team responsible for sourcing investment opportunities, working with national housebuilders, SME developers and city-centre developers to put together the deals we bring to market. On the other, I look after our B2B relationships, as well as our panel of mortgage brokers and conveyancing solicitors. It’s a role that sits right at the heart of the business, and my background in institutional BTR has been invaluable in understanding what makes a compelling investment proposition.
It’s currently a challenging time for housebuilders. How can working with Property Hub help them?
The market has been tough, but that’s exactly where we add real value. Housebuilders, whether national operators or smaller SME developers, need reliable, qualified buyers who can move. At any given time, we have over 1,500 active, pre-qualified investors on our platform who are genuinely ready to transact. That’s not a passive database; these are people actively buying through us right now. In a market where sales velocity matters more than ever, having access to that kind of demand is hugely valuable. Last year, in what was a difficult period for UK residential, we still sold over 450 units, representing more than £150million in GDV. That speaks for itself.
Are there any specific criteria for the homes you take on? Do you target specific locations or house types?
We look at both regeneration areas and established markets, which can be city centres or commuter belt towns. Historically, our focus has been across the Midlands, North West and North East, but we’re actively broadening our reach now, with a growing focus on opportunities in the South and parts of London, particularly for off-plan schemes that are two to three years out. In terms of price point, we’ve sold city-centre apartments at over £450,000 and two-bedroom houses in the North East at £160,000, so we cover a wide spectrum. What matters most to us is the story of the area: future capital growth potential, a strong rental market delivering solid yields and a compelling long-term return on investment for our buyers.
How does Property Hub Invest curate its investor database?
Our database is one of our most valuable assets. At any one time, we have over 1,500 active investors looking for opportunities with us, and these aren’t just registered users. They are pre-qualified, genuine, private investors who are actively buying through Property Hub Invest. We’re very deliberate about the quality of that audience, because ultimately, it’s what gives our developer partners the confidence that when we bring a deal to market, the demand is real and ready to move.
What’s next for the company?
It’s an exciting period for us and it’s all centred around growth. Last year, we grew revenue by over 40%, in a tough market, and our target this year is to do the same again. We’re on a mission to bring more opportunities to market in 2026 than ever before. One area we’re particularly excited about is working with developers who have been pursuing institutional capital and hit roadblocks. We can offer an alternative route, and we already have a number of opportunities at that scale in the pipeline set to launch this year. Alongside that, we’re investing heavily in our data, our CRM, AI integration across the business, and growing our team across all functions. The investor demand is there and proven, our focus now is making sure we have the supply, the systems and the people to match it.
